Niles Treasures

January 18, 2011
It had been suggested by a friendly Nilsean that I try metal detecting across the tracks from the depot building.  There is a foundation there left over from what seems to have been an old railroad building.
Here are some pictures of the area and some of the treasure found there.

Cactus garden adjacent to Union Pacific tracks

View looking northwest from dig site towards cactus garden

Tree where much stuff was found



Miscellaneous stuff found around the large tree shown in last photo



Gold plated ring found about 2" from the surface

another view of same ring



Spot where gold ring was found

12" square metal plate with hole in middle and welded angle iron legs.  It was found next to southwest corner of foundation burried about 8".  Don't know what it was used for.  I thought at first it might be the top of a strong box.    
No such luck this time.

chain saw chain rusted stiff; found near large tree.

Harmonica and unknown part of a toy found on Iron Horse Alley

Porsche emblem found at end of Niles Blvd. in Niles, CA, Subaru key found on beach by SeaScape in Aptos, CA
Bling found in Niles, CA

 Unfortunately we didn't locate the Subaru car that the key belonged to.  It looked like it had been on the beach for quite some time. Cindy and I also found $0.40 on the beach in the volleyball courts.  She found a quarter and was totally thrilled.  Good work cindy.



Ohlone Indian Artifact Found in EBR Park near Alameda Creek, December 30, 2010

Stone Mano Found Near Alameda Creek in Niles CA

Discovery Site



Alameda Creek



Ohlone Indian using mano
from display at Coyote Hills Park







Vallejo Mill and Environs January 5, 2011

Plat Map of Niles showing Vallejos Mills.  Note how the river is split to service the mill raceway.  The present day river follows the lower fork.



Vallejo Mill built in 1856.  Foundation View Looking Northwest
August, 1940

January, 2011



View of Vallejo Mill Looking North







View inside Vallejo Mill Looking East





Back of Padlock found near Vallejo Mill

Front of Padlock

Cleaned Up Padlock

This may be what this lock looked like originally:

"S.P.CO." - "EAGLE SIX LEVER". Stamped brass case. Brass shackle. Hollow barrel key. "S.P.CO." is stamped on the obverse of the shackle. Made for: Southern Pacific Railroad Co. Mfg by: Eagle Lock Co.

Illustration and description from antiquepadlocks.com



Site where padlock was found at about 3" depth





Possible Blast Furnace for smelting iron ore or lead.  Modern trash heap on right



Furnace with spout on right side for slag and spot on bottom for molton metal



Close-up of bottom spout



Vigil padlock without clasp found near furnace



19th Century charcoal Blast Furnace used water wheel power and piping similar to some found at Vallejo Mill site



 http://digital.hagley.org/u?/p15017coll7,314


Part of Blast Furnace, possibly for water cooling or turning water wheel for bellows





Location of Vigil padlock marked by stick

 


Wood Stove Top



Collection of things found near cherry tree by mill

Late 1800's step-top stoves of type whose top was found



Stove top and handle





Large bolt and washers found near cherry tree

Various sized spikes found over whole park.  Horizontal object looks like a punch.

Pomegranate tree near mill

Best looking one I could grab